Melbourne to host a candlelight memorial in lead-up to AIDS 2014

AS Melbourne prepares to host AIDS 2014 in July, a candlelight memorial will be held in Melbourne CBD on May 18.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is the first public activation of the city in the lead-up to AIDS 2014, serving as an important reminder of the global impact of HIV and continuing fight against HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

The theme of this year’s International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is Let’s Keep the Light on HIV, highlighting the urgent need to ensure that HIV and AIDS remain high on domestic and international agendas.

It is a free and accessible event, hosted by TV and radio personality Michael Dalton and with a performance by Low Rez, Melbourne’s all-male community pop choir. It is also supported by Living Positive Victoria and the Melbourne Council.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial is an opportunity for people to remember those lost to AIDS since the start of the epidemic and to look forward to a future world with and universal access to HIV treatment and one that is free of HIV related stigma and discrimination.